E-Paper
LG chairs 50th meeting of Amarnath shrine board
During its 50th board meeting chaired by LG Manoj Sinha, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), on Thursday, approved setting up a laser and sound show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu.
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha will perform ‘Pratham Pooja’ of Shri Amarnath Yatra this year on June 29, a precursor to the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine amidst south Kashmir Himalayas.
During its 50th board meeting chaired by LG Manoj Sinha, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), on Thursday, approved setting up a laser and sound show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu.
The show will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the UT.
The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 pilgrimage will be performed on June 29 on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima.
The formal commencement date for the Yatra will be finalized soon.
The Board approved various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of devotees for the upcoming 2026 Yatra.
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board decided to enhance the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
The Board also discussed and approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.
The LG directed the officials for identifying spots for installation of suitable toilet facilities enroute the yatra.
He further directed installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on tracks for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.
The meeting also discussed ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies; extension of online and pre-paid services; registration of pilgrims; disaster preparedness and mitigation measures; adequate provisioning of medical care facilities; langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity; laying of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments.
Reviewing the maintenance, restoration and development of Yatra tracks by Border Roads Organization, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered a significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Members of the Shrine Board- Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Prof. Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.K.Sharma, K.N.Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr. Shailesh Raina, Dr. Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.
